New Load Adjusting Rear Shocks for MDX

showtz · 07-28-2011, 01:26 AM

One of the reasons I wanted a heavy duty shock was my tires started wearing unevenly on the inside edges. Probably from loading up all the stuff we take on family vacations. One company makes an airbag kit but I didn't want to constantly adjust air pressure or deal with a complicated installation.

Monroe has Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers for many vehicles but the MDX and Pilot are not listed. I compared the 2003 Honda Odyssey with the MDX and found the shocks have very similar specs. They are slightly shorter but since they have the overload spring, the weight of the MDX does not compress them as much. My OEM shocks were worn out with 115K miles so the new ones actually raised the rear of my MDX a little. The new shocks are slightly stiffer but offer better performance when cornering.

2001-2006 MDX
Compressed Length 11 3/8"
Extended Length 17 3/8"
Travel Length 5 1/2"

2003 ODYSSEY
Compressed Length 11 1/2"
Extended Length 16 7/8"
Travel Length 5 3/8"

I tow a 2000lb pop up camper that has a 325lb of tongue weight (battery and LP tanks) The new shocks only allowed the back of the MDX to go down 1/2" after hooking up the trailer.

MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Sensa-Trac® Shocks & Struts :: Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers

PN#58645 - Monroe Sensa-Trac load adjusting shock absorbers can assist in maintaining ride height when up to 1,200 lbs of additional weight is loaded. These units are ideal for light trucks that carry varying loads or tow trailers.

Amazon sells a pair of them for $95 w/ free shipping

Harbor Freight Corded Impact removes the rusty bolts easily:

Since the new shocks are slightly shorter there is one extra step to follow. Install the bottom nut first. Add a few blocks of wood under the spindle and lower the vehicle with the jack until the top mounting hole lines up with the new shock.

MDX sitting level on new 18" rims:

**midnightMDX** · 07-28-2011, 03:38 AM

Great info.

phins2rt · 07-28-2011, 09:47 AM

+1. May have to check these out.

MDXfin · 07-28-2011, 10:08 AM

I think you may have the specs. mixed up, I just checked the Monroe website, unless they are wrong. According to the site, the shocks for the odyssey are a little longer but still really close to the light truck shocks they have listed as being the correct ones for the MDX.
Lt for mdx:
Compressed length 11.5"
Extended length 16.875"
Travel length 5.375"

Load adj. for Honda Od.
Compressed length 11.36 (because of additional travel)
Extended length 17.32
Travel length 5.96"

MDXfin · 07-28-2011, 10:25 AM

how much firmer do they ride? if close to factory, I will buy set after work today.

showtz · 07-28-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDXfin

I think you may have the specs. mixed up, I just checked the Monroe website, unless they are wrong. According to the site, the shocks for the odyssey are a little longer but still really close to the light truck shocks they have listed as being the correct ones for the MDX.
Lt for mdx:
Compressed length 11.5"
Extended length 16.875"
Travel length 5.375"

Load adj. for Honda Od.
Compressed length 11.36 (because of additional travel)
Extended length 17.32
Travel length 5.96"

Your right I did mix up the specs!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDXfin

how much firmer do they ride? if close to factory, I will buy set after work today.

I have had them installed for about 2 months. The ride is smooth enough that our 12mo baby sleeps comfortably. The cracks in the road are more noticable but once you put some weight in the back the ride is very close to stock. You will also notice more of a bounce from the overload springs when going over Parking lot Speed bumps and driveway enterances. When the MDX is loaded the headlights work better now since they are properly aimed.

MDXfin · 08-01-2011, 01:15 PM

Just picked up my set, can't wait to put them on!

smoky0937 · 08-01-2011, 02:12 PM

maybe I'm just retarded, but what exactly does the "load adjusting" part of load adjusting shocks mean. As in, how do they adjust based on a load, or are they just stiffer? I'm probably just over thinking this but I'm curious.

MDXfin · 08-01-2011, 02:16 PM

Coil-over springs on shocks, the farther they are compressed, the more resistance they provide.

smoky0937 · 08-01-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDXfin

Coil-over springs on shocks, the farther they are compressed, the more resistance they provide.

oh alright I was gonna say they look like coilovers. Are they adjustable? Can you increase/decrease the amount they are compressed so you can adjust the ride height?

showtz · 08-01-2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoky0937

oh alright I was gonna say they look like coilovers. Are they adjustable? Can you increase/decrease the amount they are compressed so you can adjust the ride height?

The shocks & springs are not adjustable.

Here is a picture I took last weekend with the camper hooked up. (325lbs of tongue weight plus some luggage in the back of the MDX)

MDXfin · 08-03-2011, 01:46 PM

Got them put on last night, very easy install as long as you use the floor jack and jack-stand to take the pressure off of it. It helps to pry the shock down with a long screwdriver after the top bolt and bottom nut are off. Then slide it off of the bottom stud. (I found this out on the second one) Virtually no difference in ride quality, did raise the back end a little, but may settle some after a while. I can't wait to load it up this weekend and see how it does. So far it seems to be just what the doctor ordered for my saggy rear. Very nice find, showtz

ENROUTE1 · 08-03-2011, 03:01 PM

Pic's please if possible.

Would like to see how it sits empty (zero tongue weight) with the new shocks installed.
That is, how high is the back jacked up.

MDXfin · 08-04-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENROUTE1

Pic's please if possible.

Would like to see how it sits empty (zero tongue weight) with the new shocks installed.
That is, how high is the back jacked up.

There is a pic posted erlier of showtz X, I never learned how to post pics on a forum, Sorry.
mine seems a little higher than his, but I just put mine on a couple days ago. I have only a mile or two on them. As far as empty goes, mine is never empty in the back, 2 kids, Mother-in-law and stuff.. So I have no worries about ride height.

MDXfin · 08-08-2011, 07:54 AM

Update:
Loaded it up for a trip to the lake. I didn't have a real heavy load though. I would say about 100 lbs in the back and the tongue weight of my jetski. I have to say, I didn't realize how much bounce I had in the rear while towing until I towed with the new shocks. I almost forgot the jetski was behind me. Night and day difference. It's amazing how much more stable the vehicle is when the correct ride height is maintained.
The real test will be next weekend when I have my family and my Rinker 212.

I would recommend these to anyone who tows with their MDX.

07-28-2011, 01:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
showtz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 76	New Load Adjusting Rear Shocks for MDX One of the reasons I wanted a heavy duty shock was my tires started wearing unevenly on the inside edges. Probably from loading up all the stuff we take on family vacations. One company makes an airbag kit but I didn't want to constantly adjust air pressure or deal with a complicated installation. Monroe has Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers for many vehicles but the MDX and Pilot are not listed. I compared the 2003 Honda Odyssey with the MDX and found the shocks have very similar specs. They are slightly shorter but since they have the overload spring, the weight of the MDX does not compress them as much. My OEM shocks were worn out with 115K miles so the new ones actually raised the rear of my MDX a little. The new shocks are slightly stiffer but offer better performance when cornering. 2001-2006 MDX Compressed Length 11 3/8" Extended Length 17 3/8" Travel Length 5 1/2" 2003 ODYSSEY Compressed Length 11 1/2" Extended Length 16 7/8" Travel Length 5 3/8" I tow a 2000lb pop up camper that has a 325lb of tongue weight (battery and LP tanks) The new shocks only allowed the back of the MDX to go down 1/2" after hooking up the trailer. MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Sensa-Trac® Shocks & Struts :: Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers PN#58645 - Monroe Sensa-Trac load adjusting shock absorbers can assist in maintaining ride height when up to 1,200 lbs of additional weight is loaded. These units are ideal for light trucks that carry varying loads or tow trailers. Amazon sells a pair of them for $95 w/ free shipping Harbor Freight Corded Impact removes the rusty bolts easily: Since the new shocks are slightly shorter there is one extra step to follow. Install the bottom nut first. Add a few blocks of wood under the spindle and lower the vehicle with the jack until the top mounting hole lines up with the new shock. MDX sitting level on new 18" rims:

07-28-2011, 03:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
midnightMDX Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chi-town Posts: 10,568	Great info. __________________ *2001-2006 MDX FAQ* 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon 2004 MDX Touring - Midnight Blue Pearl

07-28-2011, 09:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
phins2rt Super Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 5,548	+1. May have to check these out. __________________ *08 X Sport/Ent -- Sterling Gray/Ebony* *03 X Touring/RES -- Taffeta White/Saddle* 02 Honda S2000 -- Berlina Black/Black 99 Acura RL -- Naples Gold Metallic/Parchment 12 Toyota Avalon Limited

08-03-2011, 03:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
ENROUTE1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 66	Pic's please if possible. Would like to see how it sits empty (zero tongue weight) with the new shocks installed. That is, how high is the back jacked up. __________________ 2001 Touring/Tow Package 2003 Honda VTX 1800 R/custom 1982 Honda cb900 Custom

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07-28-2011, 10:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
MDXfin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	I think you may have the specs. mixed up, I just checked the Monroe website, unless they are wrong. According to the site, the shocks for the odyssey are a little longer but still really close to the light truck shocks they have listed as being the correct ones for the MDX. Lt for mdx: Compressed length 11.5" Extended length 16.875" Travel length 5.375" Load adj. for Honda Od. Compressed length 11.36 (because of additional travel) Extended length 17.32 Travel length 5.96"

07-28-2011, 10:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
MDXfin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	how much firmer do they ride? if close to factory, I will buy set after work today.

08-01-2011, 01:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
MDXfin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	Just picked up my set, can't wait to put them on!

08-01-2011, 02:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
smoky0937 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 39	maybe I'm just retarded, but what exactly does the "load adjusting" part of load adjusting shocks mean. As in, how do they adjust based on a load, or are they just stiffer? I'm probably just over thinking this but I'm curious.

08-01-2011, 02:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
MDXfin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	Coil-over springs on shocks, the farther they are compressed, the more resistance they provide.

08-03-2011, 01:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
MDXfin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	Got them put on last night, very easy install as long as you use the floor jack and jack-stand to take the pressure off of it. It helps to pry the shock down with a long screwdriver after the top bolt and bottom nut are off. Then slide it off of the bottom stud. (I found this out on the second one) Virtually no difference in ride quality, did raise the back end a little, but may settle some after a while. I can't wait to load it up this weekend and see how it does. So far it seems to be just what the doctor ordered for my saggy rear. Very nice find, showtz

08-08-2011, 07:54 AM	#15 (permalink)
MDXfin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	Update: Loaded it up for a trip to the lake. I didn't have a real heavy load though. I would say about 100 lbs in the back and the tongue weight of my jetski. I have to say, I didn't realize how much bounce I had in the rear while towing until I towed with the new shocks. I almost forgot the jetski was behind me. Night and day difference. It's amazing how much more stable the vehicle is when the correct ride height is maintained. The real test will be next weekend when I have my family and my Rinker 212. I would recommend these to anyone who tows with their MDX.

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